New Delhi: In his first public address after the Brihanmumbai Mumbai Corporation election results, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray struck a sharp and defiant note. He accused the BJP of winning the civic polls through “betrayal” rather than public support. Speaking to party workers in Mumbai, Thackeray said the BJP failed to defeat Shiv Sena politically and instead relied on breaking loyalties.
“They couldn’t finish Shiv Sena on the ground,” Thackeray said. “You can use money, pressure, agencies and tactics to buy betrayers but loyalty is never for sale.” He claimed the BJP was trying to “mortgage Mumbai” and warned that the “Marathi manoos will not forgive this sin.”
Despite losing control of the BMC after nearly 30 years, Thackeray said his party’s fight was far from over. “It is still our dream to see a Shiv Sena (UBT) major. If God is willing that day will come,” he told workers.
‘Battle not over yet’
Soon after the results, Shiv Sena (UBT) posted its first reaction on social media insisting the struggle would continue. “This battle is not over yet. It will go on until the Marathi person gets the respect they deserve,” the party said.
While the overall result went against the Thackeray camp, the Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance managed to hold its ground in key Marathi-dominated pockets of the city. In South and Central Mumbai often referred to as the Marathi heartland, the alliance won a majority of the 20-odd wards.
Marathi heartland holds firm
The Thackeray cousins also performed strongly in Worli, winning six of the seven seats there, despite facing rebel candidates in multiple wards. In contrast, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena managed to win only two seats in these areas.
However, the picture was very different in other parts of Mumbai. The Mahayuti alliance, backed strongly by the Gujarati community, swept Mulund and secured seven of the 11 seats in Ghatkopar’s N ward.
Numbers tell story
The Mahayuti alliance crossed the majority mark of 114 in the 227-member BMC with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party with 89 seats followed by Shinde’s Sena with 29. The BJP will rely on its ally for key decisions in the civic body.
The Uddhav-Raj Thackeray combine finished with 71 seats, retaining influence in Mumbai but struggling in neighbouring urban centres such as Thane and Navi Mumbai, marking a significant shift in the city’s political landscape.